As our 2008 program comes to a close, we are preparing to elect the 2009 Canadian Society of Magazine Editors (CSME) board of directors. We would love to have some new talent join us.

Would you like to get more involved in CSME? The board is now accepting letters of interest. We're looking for people who want to play a role in shaping the magazine industry and who want to advocate on behalf of editors. CSME aims to provide opportunities for professional development, facilitate networking functions and recognize achievements at our annual Editors’ Choice Awards night. With your help, we can expand on that program and deliver even more services. Being on the CSME board also offers a great way to get to know other editors across the industry.

To apply to be on the CSME board, please tell us why you would like to be involved along with a bio detailing your magazine editing experience. What really matters is your commitment and interest in helping the association - and our industry - thrive. The board meets approximately once a month to plan and run our annual program, which consists of two luncheons, two mixers, a summer barbecue, our sessions at magazine industry professional development conferences and our Editors’ Choice awards night. We have great things in the works for 2009, but we're looking to inject some new ideas!

The CSME wants YOU!

E-mail your letter of interst to CSMEadmin@canadianeditors.com

Writers need to rise up the food chain in publishers' books, says Canadian Writers' Group founder Derek Finkle. He noted that while writers' work is fundamental to the success of magazines, they are last in line when it's time to get paid or get a pay increase. "Just because your magazine is a charitable foundation or a labour of love doesn't mean your writers need to look at it that way," he said, speaking at the November 12 CSME "Rights and Rates" panel alongside writer, editor and industry consultant Kim Pittaway, and editor and co-publisher of the Walrus John Macfarlane.

Finkle cited over a dozen examples of writers who have left the Canadian magazine industry for more lucrative options. "Many have stopped writing or are cutting back," he says. Finkle painted a picture of an industry supplied by an evaporating talent pool because, he says, there is no career arc for freelance writers in Canada.

Pittaway reinforced Finkle's examples, citing low word rates and rights-grabbing contracts. She said that while she loves Canadian magazines, "This industry isn't worth it if I need to [write for Canadian magazines] as a hobby." After reviewing her expected income for 2008, she noted that, "In 20-plus years working in magazines, I never questioned my decision to work in Canadian magazines. Until this year."

Macfarlane said he applauds Finkle's initiative and that he hopes the agency thrives. "Agents make editors' jobs easier," he said. "You don't have to worry about hurting the writer's feelings. It improves relationships considerably." But Macfarlane pointed out that the Canadian magazine industry is a "marginal business" and stated, "There is no more money."

The Canadian Writers' Group will negotiate with magazine staff based on hourly, daily or weekly rates rather than word rates, Finkle says. He will officially launch his agency on Feb. 1, 2009.

For more information, read the Masthead article or the J-Source article.



If you have any comments on this event, or you have ideas for future events, please contact by e-mailing CSMEadmin@canadianeditors.com.

CSME would like to know how to serve you better. Click here to take our survey.

If you can't see the link above, please paste the following into your web browser: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=7FYrctRKYDdGhC4FkvOnmw_3d_3d

From left, back row: Ian Portsmouth, Profit; Ann Meredith Brown, Design Edge; Bob Sexton, CSME President; James Little, Explore. Front row: Ilana Weitzman, en route; Jackie Davis, Explore; Dale Duncan, Spacing; and Matthew Blackett, also Spacing. Photography, Rose Pereira.

June 4, 2008

Bob Sexton, President of CSME, handed out the 2008 Editors' Choice Awards on Wednesday night. A large crowd of magazine editors from titles large and small took in the event, preceded by a wonderfully crafted speech by Linden MacIntyre, co-host of the CBC’s the fifth estate.

This year's award recipients are:
Magazine of the Year (small circulation category): Spacing
Magazine of the Year (medium circulation category): Profit
Magazine of the Year (large circulation category): En Route
Magazine of the Year (trade category): Design Edge

The Jim Cormier Award for Display Writing went to Maisonneuve
The Best Front of Book Award went to Explore
The Editor of the Year is Dale Duncan of Spacing

Congratulations to all the winners, and thanks to our CSME members for entering this year's awards! Click here to view photos of the event.